Lieutenant Joseph M. Smook died
in Oakland, California, on August 25, 1941. Born in New York,
New York, December 25, 1897, he attended local schools and then
entered Cornell University at Ithaca, New York; where he received
the degree of civil engineer in 1920, while on furlough from this
Bureau. His original appointment in the service was as extra observer,
on October 2, 1917.

His field assignments included duty as junior officer and chief
of party on level, traverse, and triangulation parties in the
United States and Alaska; Coast Pilot revision on the Atlantic
coast; 2 years' ship duty in the Philippine Islands; and duty
in various grades from junior to commanding officer on ships
on the Pacific coast and in Alaska. He also had office assignments
in Washington, D. C., Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco,
California. A resourceful and industrious officer, Lieutenant
Smook merited the confidence of his superiors and the loyalty
of his subordinates. He will be greatly missed by many friends.

He is survived by his widow and three sons Malcolm A., Roger
W., and Gary A. Smook.